DR. INES Yamanouchi Mallari, a Dabawenya of Japanese descent, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in honor of her efforts to enhance academic cooperation and mutual understanding between the Philippines and Japan.
The award was given to her on July 16, 2022 at DusitD2 Davao Hotel, Davao City.
Mallari, school president of Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, said she did not expect to receive such distinction due to the age requirement.
“There were older generations who also received this kind of award and we were told that this award is usually given to the older generation like you should be at least 70 years old already, they must have already a thick portfolio or activities in the society, so I did not believe that I could get this award,” Mallari said.
The Consul General of Japan in Davao, Yoshihisa Ishikawa said the award is given to distinguished individuals who have made exceptional and continuous contributions to the development of Japan and the Philippines' bilateral relationship in various fields such as political, economic, social, cultural, educational, and so on.
“She also provides help as a co-organizer in the annual memorial service for the remembrance of Japanese settlers in Davao. Also, she has likewise greatly contributed to the investigation and interviews of Japanese descendants for the recovery of their Japanese nationality,” Ishikawa said.
Mallari said she will still continue all the programs and activities that she has started.
“I shall make use of this award as my driving force, and since my mission is not over yet, I shall also embark on new worthy projects and activities that will further improve the lives and status of the Nikkeijin in the Philippines,” Mallari said. KSD